San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1887-07-28
For the FREE Press.
Compromise Saloons.

For the FREE Press.
Compromise Saloons.
To one who has proper appreciation of
the "fitness of things" the above sign,
standing out in large letters over the door
of a liquor saloon in our young city, is per-
tinently suggestive. We are happy to state
that it is the only establishment of the kind
in our midst. "Compr0mise Saloon" Yes,
that is the right name.
It is not common for such q correct title to
be given to a resort of this character, which
may truly be called place of compromise in
an Objectionable and deplorable form.
Within its walls-made attractive to the un-
wary-the better viii is compromised for
debasing appetite. The insidious tempter
lending its ruby red or golden hue to tine
social glass, offers the seductive poison that
in the end 'biteth like a serpent and sting
eth like an adder" In this saloon honor is
compromised for shame, manliness for
bestiality.
Here, the husband, after his marriage
vows to love, honor, and protect his wife
uttered we will believe in good faith when
he reioiced to call an amable aud lovely
young girl his chosen bride compromises
them all with an enemy, who steals him
away from her side, leaving her lonely and
oppressed, prey to grief. Thus, he is lost
to her as the affectionate companion she
had pictured him in her future and believed
that he would continue to be. Here. amid
the baleful yet disguised influence of evil,
the father compromises his duty to his off
spring, for a debased appetite until sin and
shame and ruin, sooner or later, comes to
himself and his household as the result.
Here, in thus compromising right for wrong
the road begins that ends in debauchery,
disgrace, and often in crime.
Health, honesty, honor, and reputation, all
are compromised, and the result is ever the
same. in ruin if not in degree. 1t isa slip
ping at FIRST almost imperceptably down an
inclined plane, then, with gentle descent,
which gives way to an added impetus, in
creasing the CELEBRITY, until health, fortune
and character, 60 crashing down OF full
speed into the dark abyss of utter degrad-
ton and DEATH
o! ye young, in the first flush of man.
hood, with bright intellects, and noble as
pirations with hopeful future of honor
and usefulness before you, pause and pom
der this subject with all its direful POSSIBLE
tiles; and set your feet resolutely against
entering the door of a compromise saloonl
Meanwhile, we hope and pray, that the
present campaign against the liquor traffic
may be successful in prohibiting the open
ing or the keeping of such establishments,
The fruits of which are so baleful! May |
Texas show to the world, that within her |
borders compromising saloons are an evil of |
he past never more to be allowed here in |
his grand commonwealth
MARY G. BILLINGS.
The Saloon Business...PrOflt and Loss.
EDITOR FREE PRESS The Cresset seems
% be very much concerned about the people
having to pay taxes to run the schools if
Prohibition should carry. The saloon keep
,rs are also crying themselves hoarse over
he dear people having burden thrown
lpon them. Isn't it strange that the very
men who organize in every city and town
o resist the laws of the state governing
hem, are the most patriotic, most unsel6sh
persons in the land, even to the extent of
pending millions of dollars to defeat pro-
libition just IN order that the government
night be run without taxing the dear peo-
,le? For they say Prohibition will not pro-
libit and the state will lose the saloon tax
low much more patriotic are they than the
armer, mechanic, stock-raiser and day
aborer, who are organizing on every hand
or the purpose of throwing of unequal
axation2
But let us stop and consider whether
hese people really pay any taxes or not.
IN ex-saloon keeper told Inc that he had
aken in S14, 900 in months, that is 81, 900
er month. There were then nine saloons,
ow there are eight. However, we will
Ike eight for basis, that is SIG, 900 per
,onth, or s192. 900 per annum spent for
Thiskey, q clear loss 10 the individuals and |
ounty-a loss because il cannot be sold, il
annot be eaten, it cannot be worn, IL is
either food or rainment, IL yields no in ,
rease except in crime and misery. But
hen we are looking at II from q business !
land point But some are ready 10 say It
an eIaggeration. All right. then We take !
be statistic from Washington, which gives !
S SI2.50 for every man, woman and child
here are 10, 800 in Hays county. this gives
5 SI31, 500. Suppose we cut il down q
tile more, say $40, 900; this comes out Of
Re peoples pockets. they getting nothing in
q in return It amounts to simply
lis: the people run their hands in their
ockets pull out s120. 900. band il over 10
he saloon keeper. theT then take portion
I II, -. 100 gross, hand il back IL the
rape Of taxes to state. county and city, the /
alance goes to the wholesalers in the North
ID Ezst and pockets q the retail dealer. 3
he vhisksy men do not pay . cent, tbsy
Re not prodacsrs but cons1nsTs. Il requires
se labor Of 400 men q 500 Per kazzn 10 !;
sep ID the saloons q ths county. One \
srs0s out Of every zvs voters lthsrs are